Peter Maxwell Davies Studies

2009 marked the 75th birthday of Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, an occasion that presented an opportunity for reflection upon, and appreciation of, a period of compositional achievement that extends from the 1950s to the present. This book forms part of that reflection through a statement of the current condition of research on Maxwell Davies's music. Detailed analytical discussions of individual works, such as the opera Taverner and the First Symphony, coexist with broader issues and perspectives, including Davies's own writings about music, his engagement with sonata form, the compositional source, problems of text, and the situating of this music within and in relation to 'modern times'. The book describes selected works from all periods of Davies's rich and diverse career, resulting in a portrait of the music that, while it may be incomplete, reveals the essence of this remarkable composer and his music.

Preface; 1. 'A dark voice from within': Peter Maxwell Davies and modern times ARNOLD WHITTALL; 2. The writings of a young British composer: Peter Maxwell Davies in the 1950s NICHOLAS JONES; 3. Thematic drama in early Peter Maxwell Davies: from Op. 1 to the First Taverner Fantasia PHILIP RUPPRECHT; 4. Taverner: an interpretation DAVID BEARD; 5. The ghost in the machine: sonata form in the music of Peter Maxwell Davies RODNEY LISTER; 6. Questions of form and genre in Peter Maxwell Davies's First Symphony KENNETH GLOAG; 7. Peter Maxwell Davies's sources: reflections on origins, meanings and significance RICHARD McGregor; 8. Setting it in stone: the problems of an Urtext in the music of Peter Maxwell Davies PETER OWENS; 9. The composer–performer relationship in the music of Peter Maxwell Davies GRENVILLE HANCOX; 10. Peter Maxwell Davies at Dartington: the composer as teacher PHILIP GRANGE; Appendices: Appendix I: Peter Maxwell Davies's articles, lectures, interviews and radio broadcasts NICHOLAS JONES; Appendix II: Source material used in the works of Peter Maxwell Davies, 1957–2006 Richard McGregor.

This study represents a timely reflection on and celebration of the extensive musical achievements of Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. The book describes selected works from all periods of Davies's rich and diverse career, resulting in a portrait which reveals the essence of this remarkable composer and his music.